Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) today announced financial results for the
thirteen week period (“Fourth Quarter”) and fifty-two week period
(“Fiscal Year”) ended February 1, 2014, which compares to the...

Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen week period (“Fourth Quarter”) and fifty-two week period (“Fiscal Year”) ended February 1, 2014, which compares to the fourteen and fifty-three week periods ended February 2, 2013.

“Ulta Beauty achieved excellent top line growth in the fourth quarter,” said Mary Dillon, Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered earnings growth consistent with our expectations and made significant progress with our key growth strategies. I am very proud of the team’s accomplishments during 2013, including the completion of the most ambitious store opening program in our company’s history; the addition of 25 significant new brands contributing to 7.9% annual comparable store sales growth; exciting growth in our loyalty program, now 13 million members strong; and rapid growth in Ulta.com, driven by major steps forward in our e-commerce platform and fulfillment capabilities.”

For the Fourth Quarter:

Net sales increased 14.4% to $868.1 million from $758.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Excluding the sales for the 53 rd week of fiscal 2012 of approximately $55 million, sales increased 23.3%;

Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 9.2% compared to an increase of 8.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. This comparable sales performance benefited by approximately 200 basis points due to the negative impact of Super Storm Sandy and the timing impact of the 53 rd week of fiscal 2012.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percentage of net sales increased 20 basis points to 20.5% compared to 20.3% in the fourth quarter of 2012;

Preopening expenses decreased to $1.8 million, compared to $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Real estate activity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 included 11 new stores compared to 13 new stores and one remodel in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012;

Operating income increased 10.0% to $114.1 million, or 13.1% of net sales, compared to $103.8 million, or 13.7% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012;

Net income increased 9.5% to $70.7 million compared to $64.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012;

Income per diluted share increased 9.0% to $1.09 compared to $1.00 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Excluding the approximately $0.05 earnings per share benefit of the 53 rd week in fiscal 2012, income per dilutive share increased 14.7%.

For the Fiscal Year 2013:

Net sales increased 20.3% to $2,670.6 million from $2,220.3 million in fiscal 2012. Excluding the sales for the 53 rd week in fiscal 2012 of approximately $55 million, sales increased 23.3%;

Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 7.9% compared to an increase of 9.3% in fiscal 2012;

SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points to 22.3% compared to 22.0% in fiscal 2012;

Pre-opening expense increased to $17.3 million compared to $14.8 million in fiscal 2012. Real estate activity for fiscal 2013 included 127 new stores, 4 relocations and 7 remodels compared to 102 new stores, 3 relocations and 21 remodels in fiscal 2012;

Operating income increased 17.0% to $327.6 million, or 12.3% of net sales, compared to $280.0 million, or 12.6% of net sales, in fiscal 2012;

Net income increased 17.6% to $202.8 million compared to $172.5 million in fiscal 2012;

Income per diluted share increased 17.5% to $3.15 compared to $2.68 in fiscal 2012. Non-GAAP income per diluted share adjusted for severance expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and the impact of the 53 rd week in fiscal 2012 increased 20.2%. A reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP results is presented in Exhibit 5.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Merchandise inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 totaled $457.9 million, compared to $361.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, representing an increase of $96.8 million. Average inventory per store increased 3.3% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.